Daniel 12:1-4

( 2) Daniel 11:2 to Daniel 12:4. The revelation given to Daniel.

This consists of a survey of the history from the beginning of the Persian period down to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, followed by a description of the Messianic age, to begin afterwards. The description is brief and general in its earlier part, more detailed in the later parts. The angel first refers briefly to the doings of four Persian kings (Daniel 11:2), and of Alexander the Great (Daniel 11:3), with the division of his empire after his death (Daniel 11:4); then narrates more fully the leagues and conflicts between the kings of Antioch (-the kings of the north"), and of Egypt (-the kings of the south"), in the centuries following (Daniel 11:5); and finally, most fully of all, describes the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (Daniel 11:21), including his conflicts with Egypt, and the persecution of the Jews (Daniel 11:30; Daniel 11:30; Daniel 11:30). The death of Antiochus is followed by a resurrection (of Israelites), and the advent of the Messianic age (Daniel 12:1-3). The revelation is intended to shew that the course of history is in God's hands, and that though it may bring with it a period of trial for His people, this will be followed, at the appointed time, by its deliverance. It is thus designed particularly for the encouragement of those living in the season of trial, i.e. under the persecution of Antiochus; it is accordingly to be -sealed up" by Daniel until then (Daniel 12:4).

As is usual in apocalyptic literature (Enoch, Baruch, 2 Esdras, &c.), no namesare mentioned; the characters and events referred to being described in veiled language, which sometimes leaves the interpretation uncertain. The Commentary of Jerome is important in this chapter, on account of its preserving notices from writers no longer extant.